Jets Land Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco on 1-Year Deal

After an agonizing two-month wait, Joe Flacco is finally back in business. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (and confirmed by Flacco’s agent), the former Super Bowl MVP will join the Jets on a one-year deal with the 35-year-old presumably serving as Sam Darnold’s backup. Flacco’s wealth of big-game experience makes him an ideal mentor for Darnold, who has struggled with inconsistency throughout his New York tenure.

Jets are signing former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a one-year deal, sources tell ESPN. Jets GM Joe Douglas was a Ravens’ scout in 2008, when Baltimore drafted Flacco in round one. Now Flacco will rejoin Douglas, and compete for the backup job when he’s healthy and ready.

Flacco spent last season in Denver following an 11-year run with Baltimore. The University of Delaware alum made an indelible impact on the Ravens, finishing as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins (96), touchdown passes (212), completions (3,499) and passing yards (38,245). He hoisted a Lombardi Trophy with Baltimore in 2012, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the team’s 34-31 victory over Colin Kaepernick and the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers.

The Audubon, New Jersey native has seen his play decline in recent years while succumbing to frequent injuries including a herniated disc that shelved him for much of the 2019 campaign. Flacco underwent a neck procedure last month and may not be ready for the Jets’ opener scheduled for September 13th in Buffalo.

Flacco had hoped to land a starting gig this offseason, but clearly that opportunity never presented itself. The 12-year vet started 122 straight games to begin his Ravens tenure but likely saw the writing on the wall when Baltimore spent a first-round pick on eventual MVP Lamar Jackson in 2018. The 6’6,” 245-pound Flacco encountered a similar situation in Denver (the Broncos acquired him for a fourth-round pick) last season, serving as a bridge to 2019 second-rounder Drew Lock.

Flacco has ties to Jets GM Joe Douglas, who worked as a Ravens scout when the team drafted him 18th overall in 2008. Though undoubtedly on the back nine of his career, Flacco is a more than capable backup when healthy and should be an excellent sounding board for the raw but talented Darnold in East Rutherford. At the very least, the ex-Raven should be a substantial upgrade on the team's previous backup, unheralded Dolphins castoff David Fales.